CVE-2026-76010
The Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.1 via the render_image function. This is due to unrestricted mass assignment of caller-supplied meta_data keys onto the image model combined with missing realpath containment in path construction and a bypassable signature check on the public image delivery route. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with custom-level access and above, to execute code on the server. Exploitation requires the authenticated attacker to own at least one NextGEN gallery — a condition that can be satisfied by any Subscriber who was ever granted the 'NextGEN Manage gallery' capability, and that access is retained indefinitely due to the stored gallery-author equality fallback in _can_manage_gallery() even after the capability is revoked.
Executive briefing
The source record describes: The Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.1 via the render_image function. This is due to unrestricted mass assignment of caller-supplied meta_data keys onto the image model combined with missing realpath containment in path construction and a bypassable signature check on the public image delivery route. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with custom-level access and above, to execute code on the server. Exploitation requires the authenticated attacker to own at least one NextGEN gallery — a condition that can be satisfied by any Subscriber who was ever granted the 'NextGEN Manage gallery' capability, and that access is retained indefinitely due to the stored gallery-author equality fallback in _can_manage_gallery() even after the capability is revoked. The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.
Evidence confidence: Limited Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Technical explanation & impact
The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.
Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.
Weakness classification
CWE-434Affected products and versions
NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.
Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nextgen-gallery/tags/4.3.0/src/DataStorage/Manager.php#L1226 VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nextgen-gallery/tags/4.3.0/src/DataStorage/Manager.php#L2373 VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nextgen-gallery/tags/4.3.0/src/DataStorage/Manager.php#L2951 VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nextgen-gallery/tags/4.3.0/src/DynamicThumbnails/Controller.php#L33 VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nextgen-gallery/tags/4.3.0/src/XMLRPC/Controller.php#L289 VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nextgen-gallery/tags/4.3.0/src/XMLRPC/Controller.php#L69 VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3699076/nextgen-gallery/trunk/src/DataStorage/Manager.php VENDOR security@wordfence.com
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/36dcde20-0af2-4b8b-8637-9a070dffa8a1?source=cve REFERENCE security@wordfence.com
Information gaps & confidence notes
These gaps indicate missing source data. CVE Watch does not fill them with guessed product, exploit or patch details.
- NVD does not currently provide machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this record.
Last enrichment: 2026-11-04T04:32:15+00:00 · Source last modified: 2026-11-02T16:19:19.997